Respect Life Ministry

As Catholics we must find a way to be the hands of Christ when there is work to be done. We must educate ourselves about life issues such as abortion, euthanasia, capital punishment and embryonic stem cell research and discern how we are each called to proclaim the Gospel of Life in our own lives. The Respect Life Ministry office of the Oakland Diocese “seeks to help East Bay Catholics understand, value and live out the Catholic vision of respect for life” through education, spiritual formation, pastoral care and legislative advocacy“ (Oakland Diocese website). Respect Life Ministry is a part of the Department of Evangelization and Catechesis and also supports other diocesan departments in addressing broader social issues. Parish Respect Life Contacts serve as the official liaisons between the parish and the diocesan Respect Life Office and work to promote respect life activities in the parish. I am proud to serve St. Joseph Parish, a community that is always ready to help those in need, with prayer and direct service. May God bless you all. Respect Life websites that you might want to check out:

www.cacatholic.org - California Catholic Conference for information about current state legislation

www.usccb.org - US Conference of Catholic Bishops for church teaching and publications

Respect Life

Please remember to keep in your prayers all those whose lives are marginalized by abortion. Pray daily for an end to abortion and all acts that destroy human dignity including euthanasia and the death penalty.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, in Your love for us, protect against the wickedness of the devil, those helpless little ones to whom You have given the gift of life. Touch with pity the hearts of those women pregnant in our world today who are not thinking of motherhood. Help them to see that the child they carry is made in Your image - as well as theirs - made for eternal life. Dispel their fears and give them true womanly hearts to love their babies and give them birth and all the needed care that a mother can give. We ask this through Jesus Christ, Your Son, Our Lord who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, forever and ever. Amen.